The fourth annual Negroni Week, which puts a spotlight on my favorite cocktail, takes place on Monday, June 5th through Sunday, June 12th. Presented by Campari and Imbibe Magazine, its aim is to encourage participating venues to donate a portion of their proceeds to charity. In its inaugural year of 2013, over 100 venues participated. This has grown to over 6,000 venues around the globe as of 2016.

A traditional Italian aperitivo, the Negroni has long been one of my favorite cocktails. Its distinctive ingredient is Campari, a bitter liqueur made with a closely-guarded formula since 1860. This elixir of alcohol infused with fruit and herbs also gives the Negroni its beautiful garnet-red color. The most popular story of this cocktail’s origin dates to the early 1900s and involves a Count Camillo Negroni. Lore has it that the Count, a regular at Caffè Cassoni in Florence, Italy, asked bartender Fosco Scarcelli to bolster his Americano (Campari, sweet vermouth and soda) with gin instead of soda. With three simple ingredients, a new libation was born. The classic proportions are equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Garnishing with an orange slice or twist underlines the bitter orange component of Campari. A refreshing Negroni, served over ice or straight up, is my pre-dinner drink of choice, a perfect aperitivo or “palate opener” before a splendid Italian feast, or any time.

You can find a full list of participating venues on the official site, but I've listed a few of my favorite spots here.

Fat Ox's Negroni Week special is the house barrel-aged Negroni with Bulldog gin, Campari, and Cinzano 1757 sweet vermouth. Also enjoy an additional featured Campari cocktail called "The Count" with Tanqueray 10 gin, cardamaro, strawberry syrup and a dash of Campari. A portion of the sales will benefit the The Helen David Relief Fund, a charity created to assist women in the restaurant industry who are battling breast cancer. www.ilovefatox.com/

Crudo is where modern Italian meets progressive mixology. This award-winning collaboration between chef Cullen Campbell and mixologist Micah Olson pairs modern takes on traditional Italian favorites with craft cocktails served at the adjoining Bar Crudo. Their chosen charity is No Kid Hungry. crudoaz.com is located at 3603 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018.

This Negroni Week, Hula's Modern Tiki is serving up the Pogroni Cocktail featuring 8 Year El Dorado, Sweet Vermouth and Campari at both Valley locations. Hula's will be supporting No Kid Hungry for Negroni Week. http://www.hulasmoderntiki.com/ Hula’s custom“Porgroni” cocktail for Negroni Week:

.75oz 8 year el dorado
.75oz sweet vermouth
.75oz campari

Directions:

Muddle half a guava and half a peeled passion fruit.
Add all spirits.
Add ice, stir and strain over ice.
Garnish by grating a cinnamon stick and finish with placing stick in cocktail

Visit The Camby at 2401 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA as they celebrate Negroni Week. Set in the upscale Biltmore neighborhood, The Camby is a sophisticated modern hotel a minute's walk from shopping at the Biltmore Fashion Park and 4 miles from Camelback Mountain. Their chosen charity is No Kid Hungry. https://www.thecamby.com/

Ocean Prime is participating in Negroni Week with a featured “OP Negroni” and donating $1 from each cocktail to Inspire Artistic Minds, ocean-prime.com/locations-menus/phoenix is located at 5455 E High St Ste 115, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA

Directions:

1 ½ oz. Botanist Gin
¾ oz. Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth
¾ oz. Campari
Garnish with orange peel

1)      Combine all ingredients in beaker.
2)      Add ice to beaker.
3)      Stir for 15-20 seconds or until cocktail is thoroughly chilled.
4)      Strain into chilled glass.

At Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails in the heart of central Phoenix, savor authentic Southern-style eats with an Italian twist, such as Fried Chicken Skins & Honey Hot Sauce, Shaved Catfish, Pimento Cheese Burger or their signature Southern Fried Chicken served five ways. Created by the award-winning team behind Crudo and Bar Crudo, Okra also offers an expansive collection of cocktails, wines and craft beers. Their chosen charity is No Kid Hungry. okraaz.com is located at 5813 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014, USA

Honor Amongst Thieves (photo: Jenelle Bonifield)

Steal away to Honor Amongst Thieves, a stylish new cocktail lounge tucked above Stock & Stable on 7th Street. Housed inside a stylish second-floor space directly above the new Stock & Stable gastropub, Honor Amongst Thieves is open daily from 6 pm to close. The striking, wood-accented Honor Amongst Thieves tempts with an extensive list of handcrafted drinks and a compact yet mouth-watering menu of bar bites and cheese & cured meat boards assembled by chef Joe Absolor of Stock & Stable. Their chosen charity is Autism Speaks. https://honoraz.com/ 5538 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014, USA

Negronis for a Cause: June 5-12, 2017